This case study was published in the 2022 REIT Industry ESG Report, which details the REIT and publicly traded real estate industry's environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance and features 32 case studies showcasing REIT leadership and ESG innovation from a variety of sectors. The report serves as a practical tool for shareholders and stakeholders to assess the scale and impact of the REIT industry's ESG commitments and initiatives. Applicable footnotes and/or citations for this case study are available in the full report.
Developing and Standardizing Industry-Leading Health and Safety Measures for Customers and Employees
To remain current with leading industry practices, CyrusOne strives to create standardized training and risk management processes for alignment across its global operations. CyrusOne focuses on six core areas: leadership and worker participation; planning; support; operation; performance evaluation; and improvement.
In 2021, the company published and distributed its Customer Safety Handbook, which clearly defines the expectations and requirements for operating within a CyrusOne facility. It establishes acceptable practices in many areas, such as working near and around electrical wires and proper use of large equipment. The handbook has assisted in building trust and facilitating communication with its customers.
In addition to the handbook, CyrusOne provides its employees with the necessary tools and trainings to reduce potential risks and hazards. This year, the company hired an additional member to its Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) team, allowing the company to increase the volume of trainings and programs for employees. For example, the team implemented a safe driving training program for the company’s sales department, a golf cart operating safety program, and footwear safety program.
Within the past year, CyrusOne also developed a Near Miss Reporting Process and Job Hazard Analysis Program, both of which aim to identify hazards and prevent injuries before happening. As part of the program, employees have access to an website to report situations or possible risk areas. This has been especially important throughout the pandemic as corporate team members are on-site less often, limiting the amount of in-person safety checks.
For CyrusOne’s construction team, the company introduced a Global Construction Safety Program, aligned to leading industry standards. CyrusOne collaborates with third-party auditors to inspect active construction sites for compliance against health and safety requirements. In 2021, CyrusOne held a networking summit for general contractors and their safety teams to share best practices and support each other’s efforts to learn and grow their own processes. CyrusOne will continue leveraging similar methods to build relationships and encourage collaborative growth in the health and safety environment.
“Our Environmental, Health, and Safety programs truly give our employees the background and knowledge of our equipment and facilities so we can proactively prevent harm and other injuries and remain confident in our safety expectations.”
-Kyle Myers, Head of Global Environmental Health, Safety & Sustainability, CyrusOne
CyrusOne’s dedication to health and safety has contributed to outstanding safety performance, with a total recordable incident rate (TRIR) that was one third that of its industry peers in 2019 and a days away, restricted, or transferred (DART) rate that was 40% better than the industry average. These initiatives also contribute to high productivity and employee morale, low injury rates, low worker’s compensation costs, and low average cost of injury for team members.
CyrusOne is at the forefront of the data center industry with a portfolio that includes over 50 data centers worldwide and over 5 million square feet of total net rentable square footage (NRSF).